The hardness of liquid silicone has a significant impact on its use, which is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1. Physical properties
Elasticity and softness:
Liquid silicone with low hardness has high elasticity and softness, can adapt well to various shapes and surfaces, and is suitable for application scenarios that require softness and comfort, such as chest pads, shoulder pads, insoles, etc.
Liquid silicone with high hardness is relatively hard and lacks elasticity. It is suitable for application scenarios that require high hardness and stability, such as fixture molds, precision parts molds, etc.
Tear strength:
The tear strength of liquid silicone is closely related to its hardness. Silicone with moderate hardness (usually between 20 and 40 degrees) has high tear strength and can withstand large external forces without being easy to tear.
Silicone with too low or too high hardness has low tear strength and is prone to tearing or breaking under external forces.
2. Processing performance
Flowability and bubble removal:
Liquid silicone with low hardness has low viscosity and good fluidity, which is conducive to removing bubbles during processing and improving product quality and appearance.
Liquid silicone with high hardness has high viscosity and poor fluidity. It is difficult to remove bubbles during processing, and additional measures need to be taken to ensure product quality.
Curing speed:
The curing speed of liquid silicone is also related to its hardness. Silicone with moderate hardness has a moderate curing speed, which is conducive to controlling the production cycle and quality of the product.
Silicone with too high or too low hardness may cure faster or slower, and the curing conditions need to be adjusted to meet production needs.
3. Application scenarios
Soft application areas:
Liquid silicone with low hardness is suitable for soft, curved, stretchable or swinging applications, such as children's toys, models, etc. These products need to have good softness and comfort to meet user needs.
Hard application areas:
Liquid silicone with high hardness is suitable for application scenarios that require higher hardness and stability, such as fixture molds, precision parts molds, automotive seals, etc. These products need to be able to withstand large external forces and pressures and maintain stable shapes and performance.
4. Other effects
Wear resistance:
As the hardness of liquid silicone increases, its wear resistance will also increase accordingly. Silicone with high hardness has better wear resistance, can resist wear and friction, and extend the service life of the product.
Temperature resistance:
The temperature resistance of liquid silicone is also related to its hardness. Generally speaking, silicone with higher hardness has better temperature resistance and can maintain stable performance at higher temperatures.
In summary, the hardness of liquid silicone has a significant impact on its use. When choosing liquid silicone, it is necessary to select the appropriate hardness range according to the specific application scenario and needs to ensure that the product has good physical properties, processing performance and service life.